The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has thrown a direct challenge to President John Dramani Mahama to name a single licensed small-scale mining company operating responsibly in the country.
This follows the President’s remarks during his Presidential Media Encounter on Wednesday, where he defended the withdrawal of police from anti-galamsey operations, arguing that law enforcement struggled to distinguish between legal and illegal miners.
In a strongly worded statement, the Coalition dismissed the President’s justification as “misplaced,” insisting that the police had proven effective in clamping down on illegal mining.
“His withdrawal of police forces and accusation that they cannot distinguish legal from illegal miners is misplaced. The IGP’s men, though not perfect, were fearless and had brought the situation under control. We challenge the Presidency to name a single licensed small-scale mining entity that is mining responsibly on the ground,” the Coalition declared.
The group further criticised the President’s position that alternative livelihoods must be provided before confronting illegal miners, saying such reasoning “justifies and emboldens illegality.”
“This is not the leadership expected for a country facing environmental suicide, contaminated cocoa exports, and rising health crises now and for our newborns,” the statement read.
The GCAG also raised doubts about the effectiveness of the newly introduced National Alternative and Illegal Mining Oversight Structure (NAIMOS), warning that without adequate funding and strong political will, the initiative would collapse.
On the issue of a targeted state of emergency in mining-affected areas, the Coalition accused government of inconsistency, pointing out that President Mahama himself once joined civil society in calling for such a measure before his election.
According to GCAG, the situation has deteriorated further, making the case for drastic measures even stronger.
